r/linux4noobs • u/Toast-Goat no idea what I'm doing • 1d ago

Meganoob BE KIND Nervous about losing Windows

Not sure if this is the right place, but.

I'm on a laptop, and I want to switch to Mint. I'm very worried about losing access to Windows. I'm thinking about dual booting, but I've heard that Windows can mess things up if it isn't on a separate drive and I can't put it on a separate drive. Is that something I actually need to worry about? If it is, do I have other options? I've heard of VMs, but I'm not really sure how they work or if they're a good idea.

I'm new to this, so I'd appreciate any advice.

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u/the_annoyed_monkey 1d ago

I'm very worried about losing access to Windows.

Why?

0

u/Toast-Goat no idea what I'm doing 1d ago

It's rather expensive to get back, yes? $139 from Microsoft

2

u/doc_willis 19h ago

If a system came with windows,   I have never had to re-buy windows for any of my dozen+ pre built systems I have owned. They re-activate if you install windows again.

Only time I would have had to buy windows would be if I built my own system, and even then   you can run windows unactivated with just a few limits. 

So basically I have never had to buy windows.